Why 'zombie Jesus' might not be blasphemous after all

You can buy a zombie Jesus t-shirt on Amazon — but was Jesus undead? Join guest host Justine Toh and the God Forbid panel as they explore what Easter means for our bodies, our economics and even the end of the world.

In this episode:

The resurrection of Jesus celebrated by Christians may be the happy ending to the Easter story, but what about its tragic beginning? Professor Danielle Celermajer says we should not move on too quickly from the torture of Good Friday to focus on the renewal of Easter Sunday.

Sure, they say Jesus rose from the dead — but he wasn't a zombie! It all sounds a bit blasphemous, but what it's more than a throwaway joke? The panel looks at how we are "deadening" ourselves in a consumer culture full of distraction.

It's the happy ending we've all been waiting for: The crucified Lord rises from the dead — plot twist! Or at least it was, but now the story is so familiar it's become a cliche. But it was a surprise to first century society, and examining why can breathe new life into a story that has inspired humanity for 2000 years.

Supporting Information

Guests: Reverend Dr Robyn Whitaker, Senior lecturer in New Testament Studies at Pilgrim Theological College in Melbourne. She's been named as one of Australia's top 50 thinkers by The Conversation Australia for two years running.

Dr Robert Tilley, Lecturer in Biblical Studies and languages at the Catholic Institute of Sydney and in Christian literature at the Aquinas Academy.